Market fire: Sanwo-Olu donates N100m to Akere traders, begins reconstruction

L-R: APC House of Reps-elect, Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency, Hon Paul Kalejaiye; Market EXCO, Mr Nwakeoma Okey; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Fatai Ayoola; Chairman of Akere Auto Spare Part Market, Mr Izuchukwu Uba and the council Vice-Chairman, Hon Lucky Uduikhue, during the presentation of cheque and launching to rebuild Akere Auto Spare Parts Market at Olodi-Apapa, on Wednesday, 15 March 2023.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, March 15, donated N100 million to traders in the burnt Akere Motor Parts and Allied Dealers Association (AMPADA) market in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State.

The governor also laid the foundation for a new market building.

Speaking during his visit to the burnt site of the Akere market on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the efforts by the Lagos State Government were to help alleviate the plight of the traders who lost goods and cash in the fire when the market got burnt last week.

He said: “A week or less ago we promised to come back here to give immediate support to the people who were affected by the unfortunate incident. This is not politics; it is just a coincidence that it is a political season.

“I am happy to be here to lay the foundation for the new market building. Now it is a storey building and a small compensation that will alleviate the suffering and loss of our traders here. It is for us to make a clear stand that we are not about ethnic or religious division. We are a government that is people-centred and working to make things better for them, no matter what party or where they come from.

“As long as they are law-abiding, keep to laws guiding the environment, and respect the heritage of where they do business, they will always be accommodated.

“This will also send a clear message to people who want to divide us that we won’t let a small number disunite a large number of people. We won’t give them a space in Lagos and our government.”

Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagos residents to come out and vote massively for him on Saturday, noting that the 18 per cent vote cast during the presidential election is not a good representation of the Lagos population.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Fatai Ayoola thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for keeping to his promise of helping the people.

He promised that the people in the council would reciprocate the good gesture by voting for Governor Sanwo-Olu during Saturday’s governorship poll.

Also speaking, the Market Chairman, Mr. Izuchukwu Uba, assured Governor Sanwo-Olu of the trader’s support in Saturday’s gubernatorial election.

Traders at the market thanked Sanwo-Olu for the good gesture promising to come out enmasse on Saturday to vote for him and all APC candidates.

The Star